Coach

My jiu-jitsu journey started in 2009, at 39 years old, when I first stepped on the mats at South Jersey BJJ under the Riccardo Almeida Association. When I moved to Denver in 2011, things got tough—I bounced around gyms and open mats for over a decade, struggling to find a place that felt like home.

Part of my battle has always been chronic migraines. Some days I could train, and other days I was knocked out by pain for days at a time. It wasn’t easy, but I never quit—I kept showing up whenever I could.

When I discovered Tri-Town Jiu-Jitsu on Colfax, everything changed. I spoke honestly with the professors about my condition, and instead of judgment, I found understanding. That’s when I knew I had found my home.

I’ve learned how to train smarter—breathing through tough rounds, keeping my blood pressure down, and finding a way to push myself without paying for it the next day. For me, a great day is simple: show up, hug my teammates, and share what I’ve learned. My biggest joy is teaching kids and teens, helping them grow both on and off the mats.

Today, I’m proud to be a brown belt, still on the journey, still learning, and still in love with jiu-jitsu.